Anne Newman

Frivolity in the Sea

Sea Horses would have to be one of the prettiest creatures on earth- and so delicate. They are like angels of the sea.

(Credit:ocean.si.edu)

(Credit: projectseahorse.org)

(Credit:ocean.si.edu)

(Credit:ocean.si.edu)

(Credit:ocean.si.edu)

It is true that the boys carry the babies in a kangaroo-like pouch which gives the girls time to go off to practise changing outfits just in case he gets bored. During mating season, the female deposits her eggs into the pouch, and the male fertilizes them. After about two weeks of development, out pop the seahorse fry, ready to swim off and explore the ocean world. Here is a very pregnant short-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus breviceps) in Australia. (Credit:ocean.si.edu)